April 4, 2023
Strengthening access to medical care
Staff of the Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands. L-R: Marcia Soihaka (Resident Medical Officer), Dr Tom Diko (Emergency Department Registrar) and Willie Falebo (Clinical Nurse Consultant). Frances Kennedy, Australian volunteer Emergency Nurse Advisor with the Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands. Frances is part of the SIGISIP / SIMPLER program and is a COVID-19 response volunteer.
Whilst 80 per cent of Solomon Islanders live in rural areas, 75 per cent of doctors live in Honiara, the capital city. Access to healthcare in rural areas is a considerable challenge.
Through the Solomon Islands Medical Partnership for Learning, Education and Research, AVI and the Australian Federal Government are working towards the establishment of a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Medicine. This diploma will provide a pathway for junior doctors to develop the skills they need to practice confidently in rural settings, where they are often the only doctor treating a wide variety of ailments.
Watch the video below to learn more:
Staff of the Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands. L-R: Marcia Soihaka (Resident Medical Officer), Dr Tom Diko (Emergency Department Registrar) and Willie Falebo (Clinical Nurse Consultant). Frances Kennedy, Australian volunteer Emergency Nurse Advisor with the Solomon Islands National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands. Frances is part of the SIGISIP / SIMPLER program and is a COVID-19 response volunteer.
